Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Hey guys! I was pretty bored tonight, along with not being able to fall asleep, so I decided to share little part in a novel-ish project I've slowly been working on this year. I am a terribly afraid human, mainly when it comes to my writing, so this is the first time anyone else will be reading this piece of writing. Please feel free to comment your thoughts! Side note, I know the formatting is a bit weird due to me just copy and pasting it! I'm not going to go into too much detail about the plot and all of that, but basically it is about a girl named Alison who reflects on her first year in college. Hope you enjoy!

“Alison!”

I think that was the seventh time this hour that someone has screamed out my name in desperate need of help. Sober help, to be more exact. I push past a crowd of guys from our football team, or I guess who were on the team, considering we had graduated two months ago, and scan the room for the new dilemma in which I was needed. The horrible mix CD of trap, country and 2000’s throwback music continues to blast into my ears as I finally spot my four best friends huddled around yet another puking girl.

“Guys, what happened?” I ask as they open up their huddle to reveal Sasha Henderson, our valedictorian and school’s only National Merit Scholar, sprawled across the floor ready to throw up cheap vodka across the room.

“She got a little carried away,” one of my best friends Tessa says, sneaking in a laugh.

“We would help but...we think we’re going to need the bathroom too in like five minutes,” says my other friend Brooke while she puts one hand close to her stomach.

I look down at Sasha, take a deep breath and haul her off the ground. After leading her to the bathroom, holding her hair for ten minutes and sending her off with her seemingly capable boyfriend, I sit down on the couch, purely exhausted.

“Hey Alison.”

I turn my head only to see Bryan Johnson with one knee on the couch and a smug smile on his freckled face.

“Hey, what’s up?” I reply looking around the room for an escape plan.

“Want a pull?” he asks while shoving a plastic handle of basically rubbing alcohol in front of my face.

“I’m good...you know...D.D. again.”

“I could find you guys another ride,” he says while leaning in a little closer.

“Really, I’m good.”

“Listen, I was thinking. We’re all going to college in a couple of weeks and with college comes a lot of new experiences. New people, real parties...we should prepare ourselves, you know?”

“I don’t really get what you’re saying.”

He sits on the couch and leans in even closer.

“Nobody wants to go in green,” he says while placing his hand onto my thigh. I stare at Bryan, then down at his clammy hands and check to make sure that all of this is really happening to me right now. I slightly cringe at the whole situation and then make my escape.

“I gotta go...help my friends,” I mumble quickly and practically run out of the room to gather my friends.

I search around this mansion of a house for twenty minutes and they are nowhere to be found, even after I sent out four “SOS” texts to the group message. Classic, I think.

Another twenty minutes pass by and all I have accomplished is slipping on a puddle of jungle juice in the kitchen, receiving six dirty looks from the stoner group in the den and becoming more and more annoyed as each second goes by.

“Alison! Where have you been! We were just about to leave without you!” Brooke screeches from down the hall as she stands by the door tapping her Sam Edelman sandals against the hardwood floor.

With little to no energy left in me, I simply walk over to my friends, grab my keys out of my pocket and follow them out the door.

And, that about sums up my summer. Okay, okay. I’m exaggerating a bit. My summer wasn’t all that bad. In fact, it was a pretty magical time, almost like a state of limbo where every graduating senior in my town was in between being a kid and an adult. But, that’s a story for another day. This story really begins after the tans faded, trips for frozen yogurt ended, bags were packed, hugs were given and goodbyes were said before driving away to our new lives.

Monday, December 28, 2015

Hey there. I had a bunch of thoughts running through my head last night about my first quarter of college and some advice I wish I had given myself. Of course, I am still a Freshmen and have a lot to learn still. I would like to sit down and properly write a thorough post on this topic, but frankly, as I am both lazy and busy during this holiday break, I will have to resort to the classic bullet point system. Hope you guys don't hate me too much. :)

Wear flip flops in the showers. (I did this, but I felt the need to include this crucial piece of advice.)

College is not a popularity contest. No one really cares about what everyone else is doing.

Don't get the largest meal plan that your school offers. You will get sick of it and some days just want to order pizza or eat Top Ramen.

Always have your mini fridge stocked with the essentials: water filter/pitcher, Diet Coke/Sprite and milk.

Get a mattress pad. Splurge for the best one, if possible.

Get slippers. Just...do it.

Don't forget that you came here for your education.

Pack a rain jacket or umbrella. No matter what area you go to college in.

Remember, you don't have to have your major picked out your first year.

If a science major makes fun of you, remember that more than half of college students change their majors during their four years.

Bring a robe.

Find your people. (Meaning those friends that will bring out the best side of you.)

Be spirited. Even if you are the most cynical person out there, go to events, games and things like that. You will regret it.

Call your loved ones back home. Stay in touch with your high school friends, if you liked them.

Friday, December 18, 2015

Hey there. One of my biggest passions in this world is writing. That may seem a little obvious, considering I have this blog. However, I'm talking about other kinds of writing, like fiction, for example. So, for those of you who dream of becoming the next great American author, or just a great writer in general, here are a few tips that I have learned recently.

Friday, December 11, 2015

Hey there! I know it has been a pretty long time since I wrote a post of substantial length, so sorry about that! I am back, so hi again to those of you who may still be following my blog or welcome to anyone who happens to stumble across this post. I think the last time I really left things off were me finally becoming adjusted to college life and accepting the changes that come with growing up. Looking back on those posts, it makes me do two things. One: Laugh at how dramatic I was. Two: Appreciate what I have now and reflect on all that has happened in the past months. So much has changed. I will definitely go into detail later or write about any topics you guys want! Even though I am still figuring things out and coming across new challenges every day, I think I have made a lot of progress and already grown as a person. It is true...you definitely don't know who you are until you start "growing up." Now, I don't mean that in the boring, mature kind of growing up. Personally, I know I will always be a kid at heart. However, in my short but filled few months at college, I have come to realize what growing up means. To me, grown up means putting yourself first and doing things that will make you happy. I know this sounds selfish and weird. We've always been taught that being mature and an adult means to put others before ourselves. However, through experience I have found that putting yourself first is always necessary. We need to do what we need to do for ourselves. Because if we are not happy and content, then no one else around us will be.
Sorry, this post has been kind of here and there. I just wanted to make a quick post to get a bunch of my thoughts out of my head. I'm back home now and am looking forward to winding down and spending time with the people I love. Oh, and for more adventures... ;)

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Hey everyone! It's been a while since my last post! I'm so sorry I have been extremely busy adjusting to college life and all that stuff. Right now I am waiting for my next class to start, so I thought I could make a quick post to update you guys! Let me just say that college is amazing. As much as I loved high school and living in my hometown, the freedom I have here is priceless. Yes, the work is tough. Meeting new people can be weird. But it's exciting everyday! Later this week I am planning on writing a more thoughtful, detailed post! To end this really short update, you guys should check out the songs "the night is still young" by Nick Minjaj and "roller coaster" by the bleachers! These songs slightly describe how I have been feeling these past few weeks.

Friday, August 7, 2015

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Hey there! Sorry for the lack of posts recently. As you may know from my previous posts, I left for college this last Wednesday. I have to admit, the first day was rough. Yes, there were tears. There were also feelings of loneliness. Not to mention the physical pain in the pit of my stomach whenever I thought of home, my family and my friends. It was harder for me than I thought it would be, to be honest. It has been about four days so far. Things aren't 100% comfortable and normal. However, things have improved immensely. My biggest fear was to not find real connections in friendships. Friends are a huge part of what makes me happy, so they are very important to me. My bed in my dorm is slowly feeling like my little safe place. Some of my friends here are beginning to feel like my friendships back home. The dining hall is beginning to feel like my own kitchen. As I said before, the only remedy to dealing with change is time. First day of classes tomorrow, wish me good luck!

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Hey guys. Today I am a mess. This is my last day in my home town before leaving for college. I think I have cried every day for the past five days just thinking about it. As I was driving through downtown this morning, this is what I was thinking.

When we are born, we begin growing our roots. They are small at first. But, as we grow up, they get stronger and set deep into the ground.

As I drive through this place I call my home, I can see my roots. I see them extend into my house, with its white picket fence and green wooden door. I see them attach me to my sister, my brother, my mom and my dad. My roots connect me to my friends, both old and new. I am rooted in my hometown. I am secure. I am stable. I am safe.

This is why it is so hard to leave home. But, on this drive, I realized that leaving home does not mean I have to break off my roots. These roots are a part of my history. They are a part of me, even now. I will always be connected to my home.

Tomorrow, I am extending my roots. I am going somewhere new. I will attach myself to new people and new places. These connections will be new and fragile. But, soon, they will grow stronger and stronger. It may take time, but I have to remember that I will be secure again. I will be stable again. And I will be safe again.

Hopefully this helped any of you who may be experiencing the same thing. Wish me good luck and I would love to read any of your advice, tips or thoughts on the topic.

Monday, July 27, 2015

Hey guys! It has officially been 24 hours since I posted the "Social Media Challenge" yesterday and was determined to steer clear of things like Facebook and Instagram. Well, I am back this morning with a full update on my experience, my failures, my achievements and overall what I learned.

After publishing my post yesterday, I felt extremely enthusiastic and determined. I was hopeful. To be honest, I was overconfident. Then...it happened. Only two minutes after the challenge had begun, I opened my phone, swiped through my apps and opened Instagram. The scary part was that I did not even think about what I was doing, nor did I want to even check Instagram.

It happened like clockwork.

It was automatic. My fingers seemed to move on their own and my mind seemed to shut off.

Okay, okay. That may be a bit dramatic. But in all seriousness, it was a real wake-up call. That was the moment I knew that social media was affecting my life in a negative way. Now, I was really determined to finish the challenge and succeed. Honestly, it was tough. Throughout the day I would find myself wanting to check Facebook or Twitter, especially whenever I was in an awkward or boring situation. After the fourth hour, it got easier. My need for these social networking sites slowly decreased. And, by the end of the challenge, I had almost forgotten about them.

What I Learned:

1. Social media/social networking can be an addiction. Personally, I wouldn't say that I am addicted to social media. Although they do say that denial is the first sign of an addict. (This is where you laugh.)

2. Without social media, I am able to live more in the moment and am more aware of the situation I am in.

3. Social media can be positive in smaller doses. It's all about balance and priorities.

And, there you have it. Those 24 hours were tough. But, they were also an amazing learning experience. The biggest lesson I learned, as I pointed out before, is balance. Life really is all about balance. Too much of anything is a bad thing, in my opinion. And this includes social media. If you joined me in this challenge, congrats! Whether you "failed" or "succeeded," as long as you learned something about yourself, then you won. :) So, put away the phone, laptop or whatever you use to connect to the online world once in a while and remember how amazing the real world can be when you give it a chance.

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Hey there. Today I wanted to make a quick post about social media. Now, as a mid-90's baby, my childhood did not consist of social media. Yes, let's be cliche about it. I played outside. Made forts in my living room, built tree houses with my friends and used my imagination. I don't want to focus on this today. Today I want to focus on using social media today. As a person who has experienced life with and without social media, a blessing that many kids do not have today, social media is a very complicated topic in my mind.

My challenge to you: try to not use any social media for twenty four hours. To some, this may seem easy. To others, it may be extremely difficult. Right after I post this, I will also try this challenge and after the twenty four hours, I'll post my findings here. :)

Friday, July 24, 2015

Hey there. This week has been crazy. From going to bed at 3 AM to crashing at friend's houses three days in a row to eating breakfast past noon, I have definitely swerved off of my steady, usual track. Now, this is all fine, but at the end of the week I realized that there are a few rules I should abide by no matter what direction my life takes me.

Here are my 5 Rules To Live By:

1. Always take your makeup off before you go to bed.

As much as this model makes wearing makeup to bed look glamorous, it is anything but. Going to bed wearing makeup leads to breakouts and ages our skin. I know it can seem impossible to come home after a long day or night out and whip out the face wash or eye-makeup remover, but it is a must! At the bare minimum, always try to take off your face makeup. Trust me, it is worth it.

2. Do not be selfish.

This can mean many different things. For me, it means to be aware of other people. Take into account their feelings, thoughts, opinions and ideas. Put yourself in their shoes. And, simply, do not always think about yourself.

3. Invest in experiences, not things.

This is a tough one. Yes, I know we all sometimes like to save up money to buy those adorable wedges from Nordstrom or that newly released iPhone from Apple. Trust me, I get it. But, I think we sometimes forget how valuable our experiences are. Instead of buying things, maybe we can invest in experiences. Go to that concert, buy that plane ticket or eat that expensive but out of this world meal with your friends. As it says above, "have stories to tell, not stuff to show."

4. Eat dessert before dinner.

I don't exactly mean this literally. I mean that it is okay to indulge yourself every so often. Life is short and unpredictable. Who knows what could happen tomorrow. So, in my opinion, go ahead and treat yourself to that cupcake, or whatever it is that makes you happy. :)

5. Exercise at least a little bit every day.

I know, I know. This one probably annoys you a lot. In fact, it annoys me too. However, I have learned that this one is extremely important. You don't have to run a marathon every day, but try to do something, anything really, that is active. This could be hitting up the gym, going on a hike or even just taking the stairs rather than the elevator. You will have more energy and overall feel a lot better about yourself. (This is from experience) :)

Monday, July 20, 2015

Change. I have never been one to be excited about change. Now, that's not to say that I like routine. But I love that comfort you get when you are really happy and safe during certain times in your life. For me, my comfort was my senior year of high school. Yes, there are always ups and downs in life. But, for me, I was completely, fully and utterly happy during my last year of high school. My friends made me happy. My school made me happy. My family made me happy. And then: change.

Next year I will go off to college. And this terrifies me. It terrifies me because why would I want change when what I have now brings me so much joy? To think that in a very short amount of time I will never live the life I have been living for 18 years now again is unbelievable.

After graduating, I wanted to do a post on change. However, I realized that I was totally unprepared to confront my feelings on moving on from my current life. I wasn't ready to deal with my emotions and overall wasn't ready to say goodbye. And, to be honest, I'm not so sure I am 100 percent there yet even as I write this now. However, I have made a lot of progress, have dealt with many of my fears and have finally accepted this change.How I Dealt With Change
1. Tears. Many tears. I am a firm believer that a good cry can really help you release your emotions and heal, even if it's just a little bit. :)

2. Music! I have always loved listening to songs like they are a soundtrack to my life. My advice: Avoid all songs about home. I also tried to avoid songs that I listened to a lot this past year. Instead, I was drawn to songs about the future or hope, as dramatic as it sounds haha. Try to find new songs to accompany your new chapter of your life. My choices: Time Will Tell by Gregory Alan Isakov, Landslide by the Dixie Chicks, Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts, Smile by Mikky Ekko, Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves, You Get What You Give by the New Radicals, Everything Will Change and I Don't Want To Be and Chariot by Gavin DeGraw! Let yourself dissolve into the music and set your mind on the new, the future. :)

3. Appreciate the past but don't live in it. It is extremely important that you don't dwell on the past. Yes, it feels amazing to look back on what you had. Appreciate and be thankful for the "good old times." But, look to the future. Think about how you can make new memories, experience new things and meet new friends.

4. Keep yourself busy. Don't let yourself have too much alone, down time where you will probably end up sobbing over a photo album while listening to "I'll Always Remember You" by Miley Cyrus. Do anything to take your mind off of these thoughts. Be productive!

5. Live in the moment. Every second of your life is precious. So, although it is easier said than done, don't live in the past, don't worry about the future. Focus on "the now." Put all of your energy and passion into your everyday, current life. :)

And, there you have it. Of course, I'm no expert. These were what worked for me, or I guess still are working for me. Change isn't easy. The truest but hardest way to deal with change, I would say from experience, is time. So, to those of you who may be going through a difficult time in your life due to some change, please listen. I know it is hard right now. It's painful and feels like nothing will ever be better. But soon you will realize that as every day passes, the pain gets less and less and soon enough, you will find that comfort, that happiness and that security that you once had. I promise.

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Hey there! It's a Sunday night as I write this post. I was laying on my bed, excited for a night of "Orange is the New Black," Youtube surfing and maybe even some reality t.v. All of a sudden, I felt really guilty for wanting to spend so much time on things that many people say are a waste of time, unproductive and possibly anti-social. However, after spending some time thinking about the idea, my guilt slowly went away.

A man once said...

"The story of escape." This phrase played over and over again in my head until my thoughts changed. Escaping. This is something we all need. Now, I do not mean escaping as in running away from problems. I mean a sort of break from reality. A vacation from our everyday lives where we travel into other worlds, other minds, other lives and most importantly, other stories. How can we ever learn or grow if we only focus on our own selves and situations? How can we ever cleanse our minds if we are always living in our own heads?

So, to everyone out there who calls things like Netflix, television shows, etc. a "waste of time," all I have to say to you is: you're wrong. These things have value. Of course, we cannot spend our entire lives binge watching "Gossip Girl." However, those moments where we sink into other realities, those times when we completely relate to another character or forget about the world around us, are vital. As silly as it sounds, it can help us learn, grow, laugh and escape.

Friday, July 17, 2015

Although it's not that late at night right now, I found myself unable to end the day without writing something. So here we go. Sorry for the lack of quality posts on here lately. My excuse: I've been out of town and well, I'm still out of town actually. Here's what I have been up to for the past couple of days.

Now onto some of my thoughts. Things racing through my brain right now.

1. Wow, I really need to go to the gym. Do you ever have those days where you just feel so out of shape and not good about your body? Hopefully I'm not the only one. I'm thinking of doing a post on body confidence soon, but I still need to wrap my head around the idea. Any thoughts?

2. Are reality tv shows a waste of my time? For some reason I am addicted to reality shows like "The real housewives." I've been told many times that those shows are complete garbage and a waste of my time. A part of me agrees that I shouldn't spend too much time watching tv in general. However, I constantly find myself defending these shows. Although some argue they are fake, I find the women on these shows to be genuine in their emotions and relationships. Am I being completely naive?

3. Poetry! I've recently been interested in poetry. The only problem, I don't know where to start! Any recommendations?

4. Dreams! I think I want to start keeping a dream journal or maybe even post some of my dreams on here. Ever since I was young I have always remembered my dreams very clearly and have had the craziest dreams in general. I definitely think that dreams do hold value and can tell me things about myself in real life. For example, when I was taking my drivers Ed courses and preparing for the test, I had many recurring dreams of me crazily driving down the road unable to control my car. I remember this made me realize that I did not have confidence in myself when I was behind the wheel and let the car control me. Yes, that one was kind of obvious. :) let me know if you would be interested in hearing some more of my dreams in more detail!

Okay, I think that is enough for tonight. Again, sorry for the lack of posts lately!

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Hey there! Today I spent a lot of time thinking about what it means to "live for yourself." This topic made me extremely confused because on one hand, I firmly believe that family and friends are what really make a person happy, but on the other hand, I also believe that a person needs to first be happy with themselves and place this above other relationships. As you can probably tell, this is one messy, complicated idea. After sitting on the idea for a while, I came across a quote that finally made sense of things.

When I first read this quote, it was like a lightbulb flashed on in my head. In my many, many years of experience on this Earth (yes-sarcasm), I have spent too much time living for other people. Now, I do not mean this in a "I am so generous" kind of way. I mean I have waited around way too many times for my friends to make plans with me. I have allowed others to determine my own behavior for too long. I've compared myself to too many people that I don't even know on social media. The list could go on and on and on.

Looking back on all of these times, it truthfully makes me sad to think that I placed the control of my life in the hands of others. I want to go back to my younger self, or even myself a couple months ago, and say, "Care about others, but live for yourself." I want to tell myself that yes, family is important. Friends are important. Love them, worry about them, do things for them. But don't forget about yourself along the way. Because, at the end of the day, it is your life. You are the one who makes the decisions and choices that will affect your future. This is your life. Live for yourself.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm still working on this myself. This simply goes to show that we are always a work in progress and that this is okay. :)

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Warning: This post is currently being written at a decently late time at night. Therefore, there may be many grammatical errors and an overall style I like to call "whatever pops into my head at the moment."

Today was an interesting day. It was a fairly sunny afternoon here in the Bay Area. I started off the morning with something I have been avoiding the entire week. Aka: the gym. Since my car was in the shop, I drove my mom's huge minivan and to my surprise, I loved it. After the gym, I of course went straight to Starbucks. (If you read my last post you would know the drink I ordered. My order: a grande iced chai latte with light ice.) Next I lounged around my house for a while doing extremely random activities. I hung out with my two dogs, played a board game with my siblings, tried to read a book, went on the Internet, tried to work on this "book" or story idea I came up with last night...etc. The highlight of the day was definitely when my family and I went to the local elemtary school and played basketball. This is where things went south. While trying to run after the ball, I seemed to have outrun it, trip on it and proceeded to somersault and fall three or four times. The result: many scrapes all over, a deep cut on my shoulder and a sprained pinky. For me, this is a big deal because I admit and will always admit that I am a baby and cannot take any pain. I ended the day by hanging out with some friends. Fun fact: Today was "free slurpee day" at 7-11. So we made sure to get a free slurpee. And yes, it was delicious.

If any of you read that entire thing, you are one brave and dedicated reader. Since this is a "stream of consciousness" type of post, I'd like to ask you all for some tips on how to fall asleep easier. I have always found it difficult to fall asleep. For me, it usually takes an hour or more, which I'm pretty sure is too long. My mind is always racing and won't shut down. Any tips?

I'm finally becoming more tired now, so I think I'll end the post here. Sorry that this wasn't that interesting of a post. However, I am trying to post every day so I guess it will have to do. ;)

Lastly, to those of you who do read my posts, thank you so much. It means a lot! Feel free to leave any comments or requests. I also love to check out new blogs so please leave your info below!

Friday, July 10, 2015

I once read that we should "go confidently in the direction of our dreams and live the life we have imagined." Dreams. Don't we all have them? I think, deep down, we all have that one fantasy. That one beautiful, perfect idea that lives in the back of our mind. Today, I'd like to share with you one of mine.

My Dream:

I'd move to New York City. Brooklyn, maybe. Or Manhattan.

The scene would play out as follows. I'm at the train station. In one hand, a huge suitcase that holds my entire life. In the other, an Iced Chai Latte, of course. It would be close to winter. Not snow, but the air would be crisp and icy. I'd be wearing a sophisticated coat and high-heels. I'd step out of the train, go up the escalator and walk into the city for the first time. It would be magical.

I'd live in a really classic, "New York" apartment. Preferably, made entirely of brick.

The inside would be cozy, modest, vintage yet modern. And, of course there would be a spiral staircase.

I would be a writer of some sort. Maybe for a magazine. Maybe for a publishing company. Or maybe a best-selling author. The city would be my inspiration. On Sunday afternoons, I would go to Central Park with my journal and write for hours.

I would meet "Mr. Right." My family would move to NYC. And then, happily ever after.

And there you have it. One of my biggest and most cliche dreams. Yes, it may seem outrageous. I know some people think dreams only lead to disappointment. While this can be true, I like to believe that dreams are magical. And, come on, are you really going to try and tell me that we don't need a little magic in our lives? That's what I thought. ;) However, I will agree with those who say that dreams are scary. Yes yes yes. One hundred percent, dreams are terrifying. They are terrifying to me because, for the most part, we all have the power to make our dreams reality. If you think about it, we really can follow our dreams and "live the life we have imagined." All we have to do is try. And, yes, trying can be scary. But if taking a risk could lead to such amazing outcomes, is it worth it? What do you think?

Someone once told me, "Well...you can't choose your siblings..." This isn't the typical, inspirational quote that I would usually choose to begin a post. However, this post is far from typical. Siblings are tough. Sometimes, I find that blood is about the only thing that siblings share. This may be a pessimistic outlook on sibling relationships. But, in my opinion, it's part of the harsh reality of family dynamics. (That made me sound way too much like a highschool psychology textbook.) This is what I have found out over the years.

1. Just because you are siblings does not mean that you will be alike or similar in any way.

2. Just because you are siblings does not guarantee that you will be close to each other. Again, sorry.

3. Just because you are siblings, it does not mean that you will always like each other.

I think you all get the picture. The three things I listed above make it very difficult to really bond or be close to your sibling. This can also make it really scary and disheartening. Now, imagine if I ended the post here. You have to admit, that would be pretty funny. Don't worry, I'm not that cruel.

Here are three other things I've learned over the years.

1. Siblings show their love in strange, small ways.

2. Siblings always have each other's backs.

3. Siblings may not always like each other, but they always love each other.

So, this is all of the information I've collected over the years. Let's just say, I still have a lot to learn. In general, this is what I know. Relationships with your siblings are tough. It takes work. And it definitely takes time. But a bond between siblings is like nothing else. It is definitely something to fight for and to never give up on.

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

As the summer rolled around, I found myself on a tight time crunch. My mission: Make the most out of the few weeks I had before leaving for a special college program. One that actually begins much earlier than those of my friends, unfortunately. But, that is a whole other story. ;) Back to the point, I realized that I am leaving my home soon and I have to appreciate it every single moment. Although I will not tell you specifically where I live, for obvious reasons, I do live near San Francisco, CA. This is in fact, or I guess in my opinion, one of the most amazing, unique and beautiful places in the whole world. Up until these past few weeks, I did not even realize this. During the past few weeks I decided that one of my main goals was to explore.

John Muir once said....

Whenever I read this quote, it reminds me of the importance of exploration. It seems that many of us, more so nowadays, like to stay inside, go on our phones or watch Netflix and forget about the wonders of new places. Yes, I admit that I could spend an entire day watching "Orange is the New Black." However, I've learned that hopping in the car and driving somewhere totally new is exciting and enriching. And that is exactly what I did. Below are some photos of the places I discovered and fell in love with.

Exploring these new places gave me a new love and appreciation for the Bay area. It inspired me in ways I could not have imagined and lit up a new curiosity within me. So, this is my challenge for you. Go outside and explore. Find a new place. Be curious. Learn. To end, in the words of John Muir, go out into the world and "wash your spirit clean."

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Life. How do I even begin to describe this word. Life seems short, but the days seem endless. Filled with so many experiences, so many moments, so many people. Every second is valuable. We learn. We laugh. We grow. It is priceless. Sure, some days are not so good. Some days we wake up and don’t want to get out of bed. Don’t want to interact. Are afraid of facing the world. Just plain scared. Sometimes we are sad. We cry and cry and cry until it feels like all of our tears have been used up. But with these bad days also comes amazing, beautiful, happy moments. The possibilities are endless. We have so much in this world to be thankful for. Trees. Books. Music. The sun. The grass. The ocean. The rain. Hugs. Love. The list is truly endless. There is so much to do, so many new things to experience, so many risks to take and so many people to meet. People. Our relationships with other people is the most important thing in this world. Throughout our lives, we will have many different relationships with people. Some will be short. Others will be forever. I once heard that people are temporary. And that this is okay. At certain times in our lives, we have relationships that we need in that moment. They teach us something. They learn from us. They make us smile. And sometimes they leave. This is all okay. Life is like the sky. The sky is always changing. The sky is vast. It’s open and stretches so far that there seems to be no end. Enjoy life. Appreciate life. Love your life. And when you look up at the sky each day, remember that, for us, life is forever. Inspiration: "The Stable Song" by Gregory Alan Isakov (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3X9Bz0LNnc)

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Hey there! This post is going to be all about music and my favorite songs at this moment! I have always loved music. For me, I don't only like certain genres of music. Instead, I usually am drawn to individual songs, no matter what type of music it falls under. Music can really act as an escape. I love how songs can make you disappear into another world.

TOP FAVORITE SEVEN SONGS

Cigarette Daydreams-Cage The Elephant

2. Just One of the Guys-Jenny Lewis

3. Want to Want Me-Jason Derulo

4. I'm Good-The Mowgli's

5. Light Years Away-Mozella

6. Ellsworth Kansas-Rascall Flatts

7. Dream-Priscilla Ahn

Hope you enjoyed and find the same joy and inspiration in music that I do! :)

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Hi to anyone who may be reading this! If someone out there actually does read my posts, I am sorry for not posting recently. Truthfully, I am a bit disappointed in myself because when I started this blog, I was so inspired and motivated to write and post. Lately, along with being busy with other things, I haven't been feeling very inspired and frankly did not know what to write about. However, today I remembered that I made this blog because I like to write, even if it is just for myself to read. So, today's post doesn't necessarily have a topic. It's just me letting out my need to write. So here is a little update on my life, if anyone cares to know. :)

1. I have been unable to watch "One Tree Hill" because I have been busy and unable to cope with the major plot change from season 4 to season 5. How can television shows, which are NOT real, affect people so deeply!? I feel pathetic for being so invested in the show, but I can't help it at the same time! Any advice?

2. It started hailing a few minutes ago and I loved it. There's something about "gloomy" weather that makes me feel at peace, happy and safe. Is that weird?

3. I know I should clean my room, but I can't. Maybe I'm lazy or maybe I really am too busy. Having a clean room makes me feel so much more organized mentally.

4. I have been loving the acoustic guitar station on Pandora. Anyone else?

5. I have to choose what college I want to go to and I am SO confused, worried, excited, anxious and terrified! HELP!

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Hey there! So far today I haven't been in the best mood, for no good reason at all to be honest. That's why I was so happy when I came across a comment from The Life of Little Me (http://thelyfoflittleme.blogspot.com.au) who nominated for the Infinitely Dreams Award. So, thank you so much, it really brightened my day and lifted my spirits! Okay, onto the questions that go along with this lovely tag. :)

Why do you blog?

I could type for hours on end to answer this question. However, after thinking about the endless reasons explaining why I blog, I've decided on the following answer. I blog because I love to write and be creative. Ever since I was little, I have always loved to write stories for myself and my family. I remember whenever my grandma would come visit us, I would write as many stories as I could and then read them to her when she arrived at our house.

2. What are on your bedroom walls?

This answer is slightly embarrassing...I guess you could say I'm somewhat of a "hoarder." In my opinion, I like to call it being sentimental. For as long as I can remember I have loved to keep the most random things and soon I began creating huge boxes of things like shoes I've grown out of, school binders, receipts... This slight-obsession also applies to my walls. I'll list a few things: newspaper of American Idol Winners from around seven years ago, poster of Times Square in NYC, dreamcatcher, bulletin board, poster covered in movie tickets, Chinese Zodiac Calendar, pictures of me and my best friend...the list goes on and on.

3. Type out some lyrics you love."Blue jean baby, L.A. lady, seamstress for the bandPretty eyed, pirate smile, you'll marry a music manBallerina, you must have seen her dancing in the sandAnd now she's in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand."

4. Describe one of your friends in detail without naming them.This friend has so much potential to do great things. She is extremely creative and passionate when she wants to be. Although she can be stubborn, very stubborn, she is an individual. She will always do what she believes in, which is something I admire in her a lot. Also, she understands me like no one else does. :) 5. One photo. Any photo, as long as it's of you or taken by you.

(Taken by me)

6.What's the last book you read, and what are your thoughts?

The last book I read was Hamlet, which I read for my English class and finished a couple of days ago. Usually I actually enjoy the books/plays we read in class (yes I am that kid), but this year I haven't particularly enjoyed anything we have read. Well, the only thing we have read this year is Dante's Inferno, which I can confidently say I hated in every shape and form. Although it took us like three months to read Hamlet, there is something about reading Shakespeare that makes a person (or maybe just me) feel extremely accomplished and maybe just a little more intelligent in the world. I was really drawn to the complexity of the characters and liked how they felt like real, whole people for once. (Yes, I'm calling out Romeo and Juliet).

7. Share a good blog post from any blog, including yours.

(http://theworldthroughmywindowsill.blogspot.com/2015/02/once.html) Here's a link to a great and inspiring blog post I read recently.

(http://howtolyfe.blogspot.com/2015/01/limitless.html) Here's a post that I am really proud of on my blog. :)

8. Share a story of something that happened to you recently.I recently started working as the "Front Desk" person for a small tutoring business. It was only my third day of work and I was given the job of opening up the building for the day. I arrived around 7:50 AM and got the keys out of the lock on the door. However, when I put the key in the lock, it would not turn and seemed to be stuck. I began to freak out and wanted to cry. (Yes, I am a baby.) I didn't know what to do, but finally after ten minutes of attempting to unlock the door, I succeeded.

(This isn't actually me, I just got it off of Google Images...am I allowed to do that?)

9. Go on facebook and message someone you haven't talked to in at least a year, or someone you've never spoken to at all. If you don't have facebook just text, call or go visit. What was your conversation? Word for word: Me: "Hi! How are you?"Old Childhood Friend: "Hi, I'm good. College is fun but stressful. How are you."Me: "How are you liking it there? I'm good! I'm loving this year, so much better than last year."(and it continues...) 10. What are your thoughts on selfies?Personally, I have mixed feelings on this subject. One one hand, I somewhat cringe at selfies because it makes me automatically judge a person and assume they are cocky or just think that my generation is self-absorbed. On the other hand, I greatly admire the guts that a person has to have in order to post a selfie.

11. What's your favorite movie and why do you like it?This is such a tough question considering that I never have a favorite of anything! To be perfectly honest, I don't think I have a favorite movie. To give an answer to this question, I'll tell you guys my favorite movie I have seen recently. The answer to this is "Birdman." I found the cinematography of this movie to be so unique and fluid. Also, me being somewhat of a "theater geek" loved to see how the whole broadway-acting thing goes on off and on the stage. Overall, it was amazing!

p.s. sorry for the lack of posts in the past month. To be honest, I simply did not feel inspired to blog and did not want to put anything on my blog that I was not proud of. Anyways, thanks for reading. :)p.s.s. I don't know why some of the words are highlighted white...haha